This site is an electrical substation for the Long Island Railroad. From the early 1930s until 1951, the LIRR constructed electric substations the utilized mercury rectifiers. The last of these mercury rectifiers was removed and replaced with non-mercury solid state components in the early 1980s. However, due to uncertainly regarding the operation and maintanece practices used for the mercury rectifiers, LIRR conducted a site assessment of the 20 stations. Mercury contamination was found in and around this substation during the 2000 site investigation. A full scale Site Investigation (SI) was completed in late 2005. The results indicted the need for additional sampling to determine the limits of the contamination. Supplemental investigation work was completed in May 2008.

Site Environmental Assessment

Mercury contamination in soils is present at the substation.

Site Health Assessment

The site is part of the Long Island Railroad (LIRR), it is currently being used to convert electricity for the Port Washington line. Investigations have identified mercury contamination in the surface, subsurface soils and groundwater due to unknown non-specific releases from the mercury containing rectifiers. Potential exposure to mercury impacted surface soils has been minimized by the fencing that is in place around the substation and access is restricted to LIRR personnel only. Exposure to subsurface contamination is unlikely since it lies at depth. Exposure to contaminated groundwater in unlikely because area homes and businesses are supplied by public water. Additional investigations will be performed to determine the horizontal and verical extent of mercury contamination at the site.